Stay Connected with the #INStateFair

The Indiana State Fair hasn’t even started, and yet I already feel like it’s in full swing. Perhaps that’s because I don’t want to miss a thing, so I’ve been following the Fair on Twitter and Facebook, reading the Blue Ribbon Blog, and watching commercials on YouTube! While you might not think of a place those houses a swine barn and Pioneer Village as cutting edge, the country’s sixth oldest state fair sure is keeping up with the times.

Do you think he tweets?

In addition to the ways I’ve mentioned above, you can also download their app on iPhone and Android devices, share and view photos on the Fair’s Flickr account, and once the Fair does begin on Friday, check in on Foursquare. No wonder the Indiana State Fair is one of the five most searched fairs on the internet, according to Yahoo.

Does it all sound a little too fancy and high-tech for an event that celebrates some of our Indiana culture’s simplest pleasures (agriculture, food, live music, etc.)? The Fair’s original purpose was to be a social network for farmers from around the state, a time when they could gather each year to share and learn from each other. In 2011, Facebook, Twitter and the rest seem to be the connection methods of choice in our society.

There are hundreds of events taking place throughout the Fair’s 17 days, not to mention dozens of food vendors, facilities, displays, and more. It’s a lot to keep track of, and these communication tools can make it a lot easier for visitors who want to see and do as much as possible. So be sure to connect with the Indiana State Fair on the social networks of your choice.

My cell phone is more 1980 and 2011, so I can’t preview the Fair’s app, but it sure sounds helpful. I’d love to be able to use the interactive map while wandering around the fairgrounds. Plus you can rate the rides, food, etc., so if that deep fried ice cream is as good as it sounds, you can let other fairgoers know!

Here’s a quick list of all the ways you can keep up with the Indiana State Fair this year: